The effects of 8-methoxypsoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) on imiquimod-induced psoriasis were examined in a mouse model. Mouse skin was treated with repetitive sub-phototoxic doses of PUVA or UVB before or during the induction of toll-like receptor 7/8 activation and psoriasis through the application of imiquimod. PUVA, to a greater degree than UVB, suppressed the established imiquimod-induced psoriatic phenotype, but pretreatment with PUVA prior to administration of imiquimod also reduced the susceptibility of murine skin to respond to imiquimod to a greater degree than did UVB...

Aquagenic pruritus is one of the main clinical features of polycythemia vera. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical characteristics of aquagenic pruritus. The study group comprised 102 patients with molecularly confirmed polycythemia vera. Demographic data, data on disease history, polycythemia vera status and treatment modalities were collected. Moreover, various clinical features of aquagenic pruritus (including intensity, localization, quality, descriptors) and the most common factors responsible for its aggravation or alleviation were examined...

Systemic plasmacytosis is a rare skin disorder characterized by marked infiltration of plasma cells in the dermis. IgG4-related disease is pathologically characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration rich in IgG4+ plasma cells, storiform fibrosis, and obliterative phlebitis, accompanied by elevated levels of serum IgG4. Reports of cases of systemic plasmacytosis with abundant infiltration of IgG4+ plasma cells has led to discussion about the relationship between systemic plasmacytosis and IgG4-related disease...

Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) have a high incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and immunosuppression has been reported to be an important risk factor for metastasis. The aim of this study was to identify the metastasis risk over a 10-year period for 593 patients with cSCC, of whom 134 were OTR and 459 were immunocompetent. Metastasis incidence rate was 1,046 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 524-2,096) per 100,000 person years in OTR and 656 (95% CI; 388-1,107) in immunocompetent patients, yielding an incidence rate ratio of 1...

Interleukin 17-antagonist secukinumab demonstrated high efficacy for treatment of psoriasis in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, performance in daily practice may differ from trials. Drug survival is a comprehensive outcome covering effectiveness and safety, suitable for analyses of daily practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate drug survival of secukinumab in a daily practice psoriasis cohort. Data were collected from 13 hospitals. Drug survival was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, split for reason of discontinuation...

Melanoma results from a complex interplay between environmental factors and individual genetic susceptibility. Familial melanoma is attributable to predisposition genes with variable penetrance. The aim of this study was to identify differences between familial melanoma and sporadic cases in our population, based on the presence of CDKN2A mutations and MC1R variants. Comparing 107 patients with familial melanoma from 87 families (17% CDKN2A mutated) with 1,390 cases of sporadic melanomas, the former were younger and exhibited an increased prevalence of atypical naevi and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)...

The microbiome may influence disease severity in atopic dermatitis. The skin of atopic dermatitis patients and healthy individuals was sampled in a standardized manner and the microbial composition analysed using next-generation sequencing. Optical density measurements were used to investigate bacterial growth under defined conditions in vitro. Lesional skin from patients with atopic dermatitis had a higher abundance of S. aureus and reduced quantities of Propionibacterium acnes and Lawsonella clevelandensis compared with non-lesional skin...

Pruritus occurs in all patients with atopic dermatitis and requires quick relief to reduce disease exacerbation and improve quality of life. Crisaborole ointment is a non-steroidal phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor for the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. This post hoc analysis explores crisaborole ointment for early relief of pruritus in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis from 2 phase III studies. Patients received crisaborole or vehicle twice daily for 28 days. Pruritus was graded on a 4-point scale of none (0) to severe (3)...

We examined the association between the duration of untreated psychosis and outcome for patients with delusional infestation. This multi-centre international study included consecutive 211 patients. Illness severity was evaluated at first presentation and outcome was measured with the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI) at base line and follow-up. A regression analysis showed a clear clinical and statistically significant association between shorter duration of untreated psychosis and better outcome at follow up...